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Today, a coalition of progressive groups announced the formation of Constitutional Progressives, an effort to push back against the radical politics of "constitutional conservatives:" the claims, for example, that the Affordable Care Act, or even Social Security, are unconstitutional; that "activist judges" shouldn't decide the constitutionality of legal measures intended to protect the rights of fellow citizens; that birthright citizenship is unconstitutional; that regulation of business is contrary to constitutional principles and "liberty;" and in some extreme cases, that secession may be necessary.

Conservatives are big on touting themselves as "constitutional conservatives," signaling their hostility, in short, to 20th century legislative reforms and jurisprudence and, in some cases, the very purposes of the post-Civil War amendments to the Constitution. Ed Kilgore neatly summed up the views of "constitutional conservatives" in a piece about Michele Bachmann's use of the label to describe herself:

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Constitutional conservatives think of America as a sort of ruined paradise, bestowed a perfect form of government by its wise Founders but gradually imperiled by the looting impulses of voters and politicians. In their backwards-looking vision, constitutional conservatives like to talk about the inalienable rights conferred by the Founders—not specifically in the Constitution, as a matter of fact, but in the Declaration of Independence, which is frequently and intentionally conflated with the Constitution as the part of the Founders’ design. It’s from the Declaration, for instance, that today’s conservatives derive their belief that “natural rights” (often interpreted to include quasi-absolute property rights or the prerogatives of the traditional family), as well as the “rights of the unborn,” were fundamental to the American political experiment and made immutable by their divine origin.

Constitutional Progressives has produced a blistering video demonstrating how "Constitutional Conservatives love the Constitution – except for the parts they don't:"Constitutional Conservatives vs. the Constitution

"There is no greater threat to our values than the tea party’s effort to make America’s progress unconstitutional," said Doug Kendall, president of Constitutional Accountability Center. "For the first time, progressives now have a coordinated response to this theft of our Nation’s Charter. Building on the momentum of thousands of Americans who have already pledged to support the whole Constitution, progressives are taking the fight to the tea party."

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The Whole Constitution Pledge

Through the Constitution, “We the People” created the most enduring government charter in world history.

Building on the achievements of the Founding generation, successive generations of Americans have created a “more perfect union” through constitutional Amendments. These Amendments have improved our Constitution by ending slavery, enshrining guarantees of equality and citizenship, expanding the right to vote, and ensuring that the national government has the power and resources necessary to protect the nation, address national challenges and secure civil rights.

Some have advocated repeal of Amendments, including the 14th Amendment, the 16th Amendment, and the 17th Amendment, that make our Constitution better and this country great. Some have even failed to heed the lessons of the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement and have advocated a return to ideas of secession and nullification.

I believe that our Constitution has been improved by the Amendments adopted over the last 220 years.

I pledge to support the whole Constitution.

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ORIGINAL: Sanity


Did the Coffee Party fall asleep

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"There is no greater threat to our values than the tea party’s effort to make America’s progress unconstitutional," said Doug Kendall, president of Constitutional Accountability Center. "For the first time, progressives now have a coordinated response to this theft of our Nation’s Charter. Building on the momentum of thousands of Americans who have already pledged to support the whole Constitution, progressives are taking the fight to the tea party."